The headteacher and senior leadership team are passionate about improving the school and have successfully ensured a culture of continual improvement. They are ambitious for their pupils and this has raised expectations. They have successfully tackled the areas for improvement from the previous inspection report, for example improving pupils’ progress and achievement in mathematics

The head of sixth form monitors the progress of students and the teaching they receive. He liaises with subject leaders in good time if there are any concerns. He is committed to improving outcomes in all subjects. There has been some variation in the achievement and progress of sixth form courses in the past, although the performance gaps between subjects are closing. In particular, the few vocational course outcomes which lagged behind are now improving.

 Since the last inspection there have been significant improvements in pupils’ progress. From different starting points the progress of pupils is strong, reflecting the improvement in teaching and higher expectations of the pupils.

 Teaching has improved since the last inspection and has many significant strengths. Pupils recognise this and a group of Year 10 pupils told an inspector ‘teaching is incredible’. Teachers know pupils well and track their progress, intervening when they fall behind.